Further EU integration... what is it?

[VetLegion]

AFAIK EU is partially funded through customs - all customs duties go directly to the EU budget (interestingly, in the beginings of the American Federation, it was also funded primarily through customs). Also, I think a proportion of VAT of each country goes to EU coffers, so it actually gets a small share of everything you buy.

I agree though that it is not nearly as much money as USA collects. EU is collecting and spending in the range of 1% of EU GDP, USA Federal Government much more. Also EU can't form a debt, which is a good thing.

Anyway, my main point is that the main goals of integration have already been achieved, at least on paper. What is left is less important stuff. OK some points you make are good points , but when they say "some in EU think that integration is too slow", like Chirack wanting a two speed Europe, they are talking about political elites and enthisiasts such as you. I think the average European couldn't care less about tax harmonization and common foreign policy.

[Spiffor]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Anyway, my main point is that the main goals of integration have already been achieved, at least on paper. What is left is less important stuff. OK some points you make are good points , but when they say "some in EU think that integration is too slow", like Chirack wanting a two speed Europe, they are talking about political elites and enthisiasts such as you. I think the average European couldn't care less about tax harmonization and common foreign policy.

It's not quite true.

For example, the dream of a "bloc Europe" that could stand for itself is a popular dream in France. And even if other countries don't have the same napoleonic tendencies, you will find support among ordinary people for a common foreign policy (however, of course, they have plenty of more pressing issues on their agendas)

According to Eurobarometer, about 80% of Europeans support the extension of the EP's role, in particular the idea that the EP (i.e. their own damn vote) decides how the Commission is composed. Again, like most insitutional issues, people have a low priority for that, and care first for more concrete matters. But the support is here.

Tax harmonization is quite more tricky. You'll find some support for it among most left-wings sympathisers, and a few right-wing sympathisers, but in its indirect form. At least in France, there is a quite important debate about whether the EU should be all about competition, and there is aquite a bit of resentment against the Rosbifs who steal our jobs with their low taxes and low welfare. Those who think like that will favour a tax harmonization (if the change goes to their liking), but this is something they didn't always think of.

[VetLegion]

Right. Well I can't argue with someone who worked in the EU parliament as a commie

[Timexwatch]

Originally posted by Spiffor

It's not quite true.

For example, the dream of a "bloc Europe" that could stand for itself is a popular dream in France. And even if other countries don't have the same napoleonic tendencies, you will find support among ordinary people for a common foreign policy (however, of course, they have plenty of more pressing issues on their agendas)

According to Eurobarometer, about 80% of Europeans support the extension of the EP's role, in particular the idea that the EP (i.e. their own damn vote) decides how the Commission is composed. Again, like most insitutional issues, people have a low priority for that, and care first for more concrete matters. But the support is here.

Tax harmonization is quite more tricky. You'll find some support for it among most left-wings sympathisers, and a few right-wing sympathisers, but in its indirect form. At least in France, there is a quite important debate about whether the EU should be all about competition, and there is aquite a bit of resentment against the Rosbifs who steal our jobs with their low taxes and low welfare. Those who think like that will favour a tax harmonization (if the change goes to their liking), but this is something they didn't always think of.

I don't know what a Rosbif is, but isn't that code for Eastern European?

[Spiffor]

Nope. It's a French derogatory word for our very dear English neighbours.
Edit: though that particular resentment applies to Eastern Europe. Actually, during the referendum campaign, the resentment was about only against eastern Europe on that one.

[Bereta_Eder]

Re: Further EU integration... what is it?

Pekka will have to do what we say.

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Spiffor
Nope. It's a French derogatory word for our very dear English neighbours.

Rather mild compared to the greek one

[Odin]

EU intergration:

Brits standing in the way of progress:

[Pekka]

Bereta, you have already been eating out of my pocket. I should have the say at least once a month to what you wear in live webcam show.

[Bereta_Eder]

I haven't. Our corrupt politicians/subcontractors have. So tell them to wear suspenders, high heels and drag queen make ups.

[Pekka]

yes. Evade and escape. That's what war criminals do.

[Bereta_Eder]

I is true to the truth.

[Pekka]

keep stealing!

[Bereta_Eder]

They do!

[Pekka]

but you don't do anything to stop them! You knwo about crime, you solve it now! NOW NOW NOW!